A.(1)  The authority shall have the power to make reasonable regulations, not inconsistent with rules and regulations promulgated by the federal government and the department for the installation, construction, maintenance, repair, renewal, relocation, and removal of any public utility, railroad, or pipeline company,* in, on, along, over, or under a project.

(2)  Whenever the authority shall determine that it is necessary to relocate, remove, or carry along or across an authority project by grade separation, any public utility facilities presently located in, on, along, over, or under an authority project, the owner or operator of such facilities shall relocate or remove the same in accordance with the order of the authority; however, the cost and expense of such relocation, removal, or grade separation, including the cost of installing such facilities in a new location or locations, including the cost of any land, or any rights or interest in lands, and any other rights acquired to accomplish such relocation or removal, shall be paid as project costs by authority.

(3)  In case of relocation or removal, the owners or operators of public utility facilities, their successors or assigns, may use and operate said public utility facilities in the new location or locations upon the same terms and conditions enjoyed prior to relocation or removal.

B.  Any utility which requests and is permitted to occupy authority right-of-way shall be responsible for any cost of relocation, removal, or grade separation and all expenses related thereto.

Acts 2001, No. 1209, §2.

*As appears in enrolled bill.